Venues across the pub company’s leased, tenanted and franchise estate were celebrated at the ceremony on Wednesday 22 April, at the voco St John’s hotel in Solihull.
Hundreds of licensees were in attendance alongside hospitality and pub sector leaders as well as England World Cup winning legend Sir Geoff Hurst who recently made a beer in collaboration with Greene King.
Community heart
Awards spanned a number of categories including Community Pub of the Year and Multiple Operator of the Year while an overall Pub of the Year was also crowned.
The Dolphin in Wallingford, Oxfordshire took the grand title. The pub has been run by the same family for more than two decades and is known as the heart of its community, resulting in recognition from King Charles III.
Last surviving member of the first and only English World Cup-winning team Sir Geoff Hurst and Greene King CEO Nick Mackenzie presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Tony Edwards and Iona Roberts from the Five Bells in Henlow, Bedfordshire, recognising the duo’s more than 40 years’ service in the pub and industry.
Exceptional standards set
Greene King Pub Partners managing director Dan Robinson said: “Congratulations to each award winner at this year’s Night of Excellence Awards – the standard set by our partners continues to be exceptional.
“It’s a real privilege to partners with such passionate and professional pub operators across the UK and evenings like this give us the opportunity to recognise our brilliant partners, the incredible pubs they run and the important impact they have on the communities they serve.”
The winners in full:
Community Pub of the Year – the Rose of Mossley, Liverpool
Digital Pub of the Year – the Guy Earl of Warwick, Welling, south London
Entertainment Pub of the Year – the Droppingwell, Rotherham
Food Pub of the Year – the Greyhound, Finchampstead
New Franchisee of the Year – the Castle, Goring-by-Sea
Franchisee of the Year – Sammi and Rob Garland, the Broken Cross, Rudheath, Northwich
Pub Garden of the Year – the Salutation, Doncaster
Beer Pub of the Year – the Old Ship Inn, Perth
Capex Pub of the Year – the Boat House, Irlam
Charity & Sustainability Pub of the Year – the White Swan, Littleover, Derby
New Licensee of the Year – the Bridge Bar, Ellon
Sports Pub of the Year – the Royal Oak, Lewes, East Sussex
Turnaround Pub of the Year – the Corona Bar & Kitchen, Glasgow
Multiple Operator of the Year – Gerard Flynn, True Pub Co
Pub of the Year – the Dolphin, Wallingford, Oxfordshire
Lifetime Achievement – Tony Edwards and Iona Roberts, the Five Bells, Henlow, Bedfordshire